Stewart's return comes at a time when there's some uncertainty surrounding running back DeAngelo Williams, who sat out practice Wednesday with a strained quad suffered last Thursday against the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

The Panthers figure to use some sort of backfield-by-committee if Williams, Stewart and Mike Tolbert are active Sunday. Stewart is going to eat, if for no other reason than to give the Panthers an idea of what he can give them this season.

3. Buffalo Bills quarterback Thad Lewis sat out practice with a rib injury and the flu. Coach Doug Marrone said Lewis is "50-50" to play this week, leaving the Q-rating-challenged Jeff Tuel to take first-team snaps Wednesday. NFL Media Insider Ian Rapoport reports that despite missing practice, Lewis is expected to be good to go Sunday, per a source informed of Lewis' rib injury.

4. Also out of Buffalo: Running back C.J. Spiller, battling an ankle injury, practiced for the first time in two weeks on a limited basis. Fellow runner Fred Jackson sat out the session to nurse his sprained MCL.

9. We'll mention that Larry Fitzgerald missed Cardinals practice with a hamstring injury, but the receiver's just resting ahead of Arizona's bye. We fully expect him to play in Week 10 against the Texans.

12. Packers linebacker Clay Matthews could return to action for Green Bay sooner than expected. Matthews is due to have the pins removed from his thumb Monday, according to The Associated Press. It's entirely possible that Matthews could see game action Nov. 10 against the Philadelphia Eagles.